Gabriel Erkoreka

An unexpected signing for Oxford University Press is Gabriel Erkoreka,
a young Spanish composer, whose pianistic abilities match his promise as
a composer.

He completed his studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Michael
Finnissy. Already his performance schedule is mounting in Spain, France,
Germany, and the Netherlands. 'Kultura' has marvelled at 'the breadth of
his creative imagination' and foresees 'a promising future for such a dedicated
composer'.

Erkoreka has formed a piano trio  the Trio Bernaola  with
Inigo Alonso (clarinet) and Natalie Rozario (cello). We look forward to
his music and his playing.

A Celebration Carol for the Millennium

Any SATB choir looking for a lively purposeful Millennium Carol in 7/8
time should look at Sing a New Song by Jane Humfrey. Copies are available
from 5 Dallington Green, Northampton, NN5 7HW, United Kingdom. Tel: +44
(0)1604 751 051. Price GBP 1.75 stapled and GBP 2.75 bound. GBP 0.50 from
each copy sold is donated to the Millennium Appeal Fund 'Children's Promise'.

From the Essex cathedral city Dr Elliott moves to pastures new, transferring
to Washington D.C. where he is to take up a new position at St.Paul's Church,
Rock Creek.

During almost twenty years as organist at Chelmsford (a post he was appointed
to in l981), Dr Elliott has transformed the musical landscape at the cathedral,
setting up the Choral Foundation to maintain the choir on a firm financial
footing, expanding the programme of sung services to six days a week, and
establishing the Cathedral Consort, an auxiliary choir which supplements
the work of the Cathedral men and boys.

He was responsible for setting up the successful annual Chelmsford Cathedral
Festival, and it was largely thanks to his energies that the cathedral can
now boast two new Mander organs, located at its East and West ends. In addition
to his teaching at the Guildhall School of Music and at the Colchester Institute,
where he was instrumental in establishing a groundbreaking M.A.course in
Liturgical Music, Dr Graham Elliott has recently played a prominent role
as President of the Cathedral Organists' Association (a post which he relinquishes
upon his translation to Washington). St.Paul's, Rock Creek is the
oldest church in Washington D.C., and is a superb example of early colonial
architecture. Dr Elliott will be closely involved in the plans to instal
new instruments there - a project for which his expertise will prove invaluable.

Neil Weston / Roderic Dunnett

Chinese Visit

A performance in honour of the State Visit of the President of the People's
Republic of China, His Excellency Jiang Zemin, took place on 20 October
at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Amongst the items was the Tallis Scholars
directed by Peter Phillips singing the two settings of Hosanna to the
Son of David by Orlando Gibbons and Thomas Weelkes. The Tallis Scholars
performed in anticipation of their first tour of China.

Naxos award

For the first time, Naxos
have carried off a Gramophone Award at the annual ceremony on 16 October
at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The Editor's Choice Award went to
Naxos for their 20th Century British Music series. It was accepted by David
Lloyd-Jones and Paul Daniel on behalf of Naxos.

Circles

With the recent departure from Westminster Abbey of its organist Martin
Neary and the appointment of James O'Donnell from Westminster Cathedral
to the Abbey, this tight-knit circle of exchanges is now completed by the
appointment to the Cathedral of Martin Baker, currently sub-organist of
the Abbey.

Art song in Boston

Composers of any age or nationality are invited to enter the Boston Art
Song competition. They must write a song to a compulsory text by George
Eliot, set for high soprano voice and piano. The prize is USD 100 plus a
performance at Reading University in England (with other likely performances).
The deadline for entries is 31 January 2000. Further information by email or by sending a stamped self-addressed
envelope to Naomi Gurt Lind, 126 Beethoven Avenue, Newton, Massachusetts
02468-1728, USA.

Barcelona phoenix

Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu re-opened on 7 October with a run of
Puccini's Turandot, after being all but destroyed by fire in 1994.
The 4000 seater opera house, built in the Italian style in 1847, was also
burnt down in 1861!

Baroque oboe workshop

Matthew Peaceman is holding a two day workshop for baroque oboists in
Mainz, 29 October - 1 November, as part of the First Music Pedagogic Seminar
'Musik Verstehen'. Also of interest to modern oboists with an interest in
baroque and early classical performance practise, the course will be held
in German and English. Info: Matthew Peaceman.

Recording Fests in 2000

Symphonic Workshops are organising two recording sessions next year at
Olomouc in the Czech Republic, at which composers can have their works performed
and recorded by the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. The cost is USD 450
per hour for a standard recording or USD 650 per hour using digital multichannel
techniques. Info: Symphonic
Workshops.